Anna Faller | Author

Two Are Better Than One

Oct. 1, 2022

Local restaurateurs Nick and Natalie Crawford never sit still very long. As industry veterans and co-owners of two successful eateries, this pair is always looking for ways to push the edible envelope.

“We’re trying to figure out the next best thing, and how we can get... Read More >>

Merlyn’s Patisserie’s Ube Croissant

Sept. 17, 2022

From cultural fusion to croissant colors, the best things seem to come in twos at Merlyn’s Patisserie in Traverse City. Helmed by siblings Jun Dupra and Anna Mae Kucharski, the bakehouse, which they named for their mom, blends the art of French confection with bursts of Asian-inspir... Read More >>

Murder and Medicine

Sept. 17, 2022

What does it take to get a man out of prison—especially one who doesn’t deserve his sentence?

In his memoir, The Other Dr. Gilmer (of This American Life podcast fame), author Dr. Benjamin Gilmer examines this question, amongst countless others, in his... Read More >>

Roast & Toast’s Bour-Burundi

Sept. 10, 2022

For the under-caffeinated among us, Roast & Toast is piping-hot coffee mecca, and this autumn, you’ll find us cozied up with a mug of their Bour-Burundi brew. Inspired by the flavor combo of coffee spiked with buttery bourbon, this variety got off the ground when a pairing dinne... Read More >>

Common Good Bakery’s Paris Brest

Sept. 3, 2022

This year, Common Good Bakery added a line of patisserie-inspired desserts to their ranks of breads and breakfast pastries, and we couldn’t j’adore them more if we tried. The menu’s crowning glory is the traditional Paris Brest, named for the final destination o... Read More >>

Rough Pony’s Purple Potion

Aug. 27, 2022

A coffeehouse is one of those places that can’t help but bring people together, and Rough Pony does just that. A community juice and coffee bar—with a selection of Bubbie's Bagels to boot—this eclectic Warehouse Market space is designed to celebrate all things beverage, ... Read More >>

Hilbert’s Comb Honey

Aug. 20, 2022

Honey, honey, how it thrills us! A true multitasker of an ingredient, we’ve yet to meet a riff on the golden stuff—in cups of Greek yogurt, stirred into coffee, or settled into puff pastry—that didn’t leave us longing for seconds. Today, we’re going straight ... Read More >>

The Great Lakes in Print and on Stage

Aug. 20, 2022

On Thursday, Aug. 25, two of Michigan’s most celebrated nature authors, Jerry Dennis and Dave Dempsey, take to the National Writers Series stage for a deep dive (pun intended) into Great Lakes stewardship, including the effects of climate change, encroaching threats to our water sup... Read More >>

Dinner to Your Door

Aug. 13, 2022

If you ask us, fast food gets a bad rap. In the locavore paradise that is northern Michigan, gone are the days of paper-thin burgers and wilted, fryer-oil fries. Here, we introduce you to the best in ready-made dinner fixes with no extra assembly (or oven!) required—and definitely n... Read More >>

L’Chayim’s Reuben

Aug. 6, 2022

“L’Chayim” in Hebrew means “to life,” and what’s life without a little corned beef? At the eponymous delicatessen—with locations in Beulah, Frankfort, and now Glen Arbor—you don’t even have to ask. Their famous “cool” Reube... Read More >>

Brew’s Cucumber-Mint Gimlet

July 30, 2022

As its name suggests, Brew in downtown Traverse City knows a bit about quenching thirst. Their raw-brick ambiance beckons first thing in the morning for coffee and espresso creations (try the chai tea latte and thank us later) and invites you to settle in for the afternoon with a glass of... Read More >>

Hearth & Vine Cafe’s Black Bean Burger

July 23, 2022

Did someone say “beer and a burger?” Hearth & Vine Café will do you one better. Transformed from a farm market in 2010, this seasonal bistro at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay offers casual farmstead fare, all crafted to complement a glass (or two) of wine. As for t... Read More >>

Townline Ciderworks’ Fresh Strawberry Cider

July 16, 2022

“Homegrown” gets a whole new meaning at Townline Ciderworks in Williamsburg. Opened in 2017, this tasting room and production facility features hand-crafted wine and cider sourced from surrounding Altonen Orchards. While there’s certainly no shortage of heritage apples (... Read More >>

Brengman Brothers’ Michigan BBQ Lettuce Wraps

July 9, 2022

For an afternoon of sun-drenched sipping, Brengman Brothers at Crain Hill Vineyard is an ideal place to take root. Established in 2003, this regionally-focused winery has an ethos all about showcasing local terroir, from its array of top-notch wines to its just-released tapas menu, led by... Read More >>

Down by the Docks

July 9, 2022

Since Pier M33 on the Cheboygan opened in June 2011, its eclectic eats and easy vibes—not to mention those killer waterfront views—have made for an impressive splash in the deep end of northern Michigan dining.

Join us (the water’s fine!) as we dive beneath the s... Read More >>

Short’s Brewing’s Thirst Mutilator Hop Water

July 2, 2022

Short’s Brewing Company has just released its first non-alcoholic beverage, and it gives the term “porch pounder” a whole new meaning. Please welcome Thirst Mutilator Hop Water to the stage! Created in collaboration with Michigan’s own Billy Strings (who got his Gr... Read More >>

Nauti Inn Barstro’s Lake Trout

June 25, 2022

Summer staycation vibes come to life downtown Cheboygan’s Nauti Inn Barstro. Opened in 2017, this bar-meets-bistro’s maritime twist, complete with alfresco seating and wood-plank accents, brings a day spent dockside ashore—minus all that extra sand. Known for its variety... Read More >>

Cherry Picking

June 25, 2022

In 1989, Bob Sutherland founded Cherry Republic as a T-shirt brand from the trunk of his car. Fast-forward nearly 30 years, and that one-man business has since evolved into six retail stores throughout the state, not to mention a huge online presence. But, the cherry on top (pun totally i... Read More >>

Stormcloud’s One String Puppet

June 18, 2022

Ever heard of Phantasm thiol? It’s made from powdered New Zealand white grape skins, and it makes a pretty delicious beer. “It’s a brand-new product on the market,” says Stormcloud Brewing Company’s lead, Chris Schnapf. The moment he got his hands on the stuf... Read More >>

Murdick’s Cherry Fudge Flavors

June 11, 2022

If northern Michigan were a building, fudge would form the bricks and Doug Murdick’s Fudge would be the sugar-spun cement. Murdick’s namesake sweets begin with half-and-half, whipping cream, and plenty of sugar. From there, each mixture is melted to temperature (each of which ... Read More >>